There are plenty of events happening around the city during this holiday weekend, with the Chevron Houston Marathon, the opening of the new Smart Financial Center in Sugar Land, and Martin Luther King Day activities.
This recap features 13 events that you should add to your weekend plans, including Monday holiday happenings, but you can find more to do on our CultureMap Events Calendar.
Friday, January 13
Society for the Performing Arts presents Balé Folclórico da Bahia
The only professional folk dance company of its kind in Brazil, Balé Folclórico da Bahia draws from its African roots, and includes capoeira, samba, and all the excitement and color of the legendary Brazilian celebration of Carnival.
Rogue Productions' first play is a one-act comedy by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers with two women who portray Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as they write the Oscar-winning movie famous movie Good Will Hunting. Sounds intriguing. It runs all weekend.
BBVA Compass Broadway at the Hobby Center presents The Book of Mormon
Last chance to catch the outrageous Tony Award-winning musical comedy that follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Contains explicit language. The production continues through Sunday.
Saturday, January 14
Gardeners of all skill levels can shop for more than 125 varieties of fruit trees in all sizes that are adapted to grow in Houston's climate and soil at the 17th annual sale that benefits Urban Harvest. In addition to popular trees, an assortment of nutrient-packed superfoods are available at this year's sale, held at Rice University Farmers Market.
This unique exhibit, which debuts this weekend at the Health Museum and runs through April 23, offers an up-close look at the complexities of the human body, its functions, and inner workings. Body Worlds RX uses a technique called Plastination to replace fluids in the body with plastic that hardens and allows for a perspective that is rarely seen.
The legendary comedian is the debut performer at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, with two shows Saturday night. Famous for his memorable "one-liners" on the classic show, Seinfeld, which lives on in reruns, he now has a hit web series, Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Sunday, January 15
45th Annual Chevron Houston Marathon and 16th Aramco Houston Half Marathon
Line the streets of Houston early Sunday morning to cheer on 27,000 runners in the largest single-day sporting event in Houston. The big run is also a part of other weekend festivities such as the We Are Houston RunFest which provides entertainment for those participating in and watching the marathon.
Peter and the Wolf at the Houston Zoo
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra and the InterActive Theater Company collaborate on a performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf as part of the Houston Zoo's initiatives to promote wolf conservation. The concert, which is presented annually, is free with zoo admission.
This free family-friendly event offers the opportunity to experience the new Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston with various fun activities. Entertainment includes music by DJ Beetlejuice, face painting, character visits from Fancy Nancy and Duck from Duck for President presented by the Main Street Theater, a magic show, and much more.
Don Henley in concert with JD &The Straight Shot
Eagles founder and drummer Don Henley helps launch the opening of the new Smart Financial Centre with a concert of songs spanning his entire career from the Eagles and his vast solo catalog, including songs from his latest release, Cass County, which was named after the East Texas county in which he was raised.
Chefs Apple and PJ Stoops of the recently shuttered Foreign Correspondents will showcase their talents in a new pop-up series at Ladybird's called "Sap Sap" that highlights their love of blending Thai, Latin, and American flavors and cuisines.
Monday, January 16
Visitors to Rothko Chapel will have the opportunity to hear audio installations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches I Have a Dream, A Knock at Midnight, Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution, and Loving Your Enemies from 11 am to 5 pm. As a monument to spirituality, human rights, and art, the chapel is a perfect place to meditate on the words shared by the iconic civil rights leader.
DR Delicacy presents The Truffle Masters
Twenty five of Houston's top chefs, including Robert del Grande, Omar Pereney, and Danny Trace, prepare dishes featuring fresh black truffles imported from Spain in this heated competition at the Hobby Center, with a panel of celebrity judges, including CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler, picking the winners.
Jerry Seinfeld opens the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land with two shows Saturday night.
